Dontae Rayford

One of Dontae Rayford's prominent roles is that of a platform advisor for Black Operator Ventures, a pioneering seed fund headquartered in Oakland, CA. Black tech entrepreneurs founded this organization with the explicit aim of investing in and supporting Black-owned businesses. Rayford's involvement since 2022 highlights his commitment to fostering economic empowerment within the Black community.

In addition, Rayford holds the position of director of category management at Indeed, a leading online job platform. Specializing in verticals such as Food & Beverage, Rayford utilizes his expertise to enhance employment opportunities for individuals within these industries. His unwavering dedication to creating pathways to meaningful work underscores his belief in the transformative power of job access.

Rayford's commitment to education is also evident through his role as an adjunct instructor at Southern New Hampshire University. The university's comprehensive online degree programs, numbering over 200, provide students with a flexible and accessible path to education. As part of the MBA program, Rayford takes pride in guiding and shaping the minds of aspiring business professionals, bringing real-world insights and experiences to the classroom.

Rayford's extensive professional journey encompasses diverse positions that have significantly contributed to his breadth of expertise. His tenure at the State of California focused on addressing issues faced by working-class communities, demonstrating his commitment to social impact. At Google, Rayford excelled in ad sales before transitioning to business development, specializing in virtual reality and immersive capture technologies. His previous engagements with technology startups, including IFTTT, YI Technology, and TuneIn, further highlight his versatility and entrepreneurial spirit. At Yahoo!/Verizon, Rayford played a crucial role in reconstructing and revitalizing the company's business development initiatives.